Tagged: baseball

The Vermont Lake Monsters (26-36) were just what the doctor ordered for a slumping Lowell Spinners (33-31) team that desperately needed wins in order to stay in the playoff picture. Having been swept in their last two series and riding a six game losing streak entering their series against Vermont, the Spinners flipped the script and did a little sweeping of their own earning three crucial wins (10-6, 5-2, 8-4), and improving their record against Vermont to 8-1 on the season.

Although the majority of the blame for the Spinners previous losing streak had to fall on the anemic offense, which produced only eight runs during the six losses, it was the offense that lifted the Spinners over Vermont and that deserves much of the credit for the sweep.

Spinners bats exploded in game one of the series (much as they have in previous games against Vermont’s pitching staff) for 10 runs, two more than they scored in the entirety of their six game losing streak. Over the three games of the series, Lowell’s offense combined for 23 runs on 28 hits.

Setting the pace was All-Star first baseman, Josh Ockimey, who bookended the series with a pair of bombs to right field in the first and last games. Ockimey finished the series with three runs and five RBIs. Also contributing was shortstop Jeremy Rivera, who went 5-11 in the series to go along with his outstanding defensive play.

In addition to the hot bats, fans at LeLacheur Park were treated to some exciting promotions over the three game series. Game one saw a Spinners hat giveaway sponsored by Fred C. Church insurance, game two was Circle Health Go Red for Women Night with Circle Health sponsoring a red t-shirt giveaway to raise awareness about women’s heart health, and the Spinners pulled out all the stops for the final game of the series by giving away replica 2008 Spinners Stedler Division Championship rings and featuring appearances by Governor Charlie Baker, former Red Sox player Sam Horn, and MMA competitor John “Doomsday” Howard. Governor Baker threw a strike for his ceremonial first pitch, and fans got to watch Doomsday take out LeLacheur’s resident sumo wrestlers with some sweet over the shoulder tosses.

With 12 games left to play, the sweep of Vermont puts the Spinners 2.5 games back of first place in the Stedler Division and just one game back in the Wild Card race. So despite the team’s poor play coming back from the All-Star break, a spot in the playoffs is still well within their grasp.

The Spinners split an unconventional series with the Tri-City ValleyCats that included two rehab stints, lightning, rain, and a cruise giveaway.

On Win a Royal Caribbean Cruise Night, the game would be suspended with two outs in the top of the first inning due to rain. Prior to the suspended game, fans were treated to a rehab outing by Red Sox pitcher Rick Porcello along with Paw Sox second baseman Sean Coyle. Porcello pitched 3.2IP, giving up three hits, no runs, one walk, and one strike out.

The Spinners offense was so explosive it caused a lightning delay (sort of). In the bottom of the third inning, Basabe, Coyle, De La Guerra, and Ockimey would score runs, with Acosta and Ockimey getting RBIs. The inning would result in four runs, giving the spinners a lead.

The game would be put to a pause when the rain led to a suspended game. The following day at 3:05PM, the game restarted with Matt Kent on the mound. Kent would go on to pitch 3.1 IP, getting the win. Bobby Poyner got the save, pitching 2 innings and striking out three.

The follow game got started after a thirty-minute break with Jose Almonte on the mound. He gave a solid effort, going 4.2 IP giving up only two runs and striking out six batters. The Spinners offense, however, struggled, getting only one hit by Chad De La Guerra.

Despite the Saturday rain, one lucky fan went home with a free cruise. In honor of the night, fans also received free leis at the gate.

On field promotions during the two games did not disappoint. During the second inning of the game, fans watched Minion Wipeout on the first base side. Our two minions, Dave and Kevin, had to run through cones, walk across a balance beam, and maneuver past punching bags to the finish line. It was quite the challenge, with both minions falling down after being pelted with water balloons while trying to stay on the balance beam. In the end, it would be Dave who would see a victory.

During the second game, two lucky fans got to participate in Cheeseburger Slingshot. The two fans stood behind second base holding two nets while three of our Spinners staff-members slingshot cheeseburgers their way. Both contestants caught one cheeseburger each, ending in a tie.

After enjoying the all-star break, the Spinners return to LeLacheur Park this Friday as they begin a three game series against the Staten Island Yankees. The first pitch will be thrown at 7:05PM.

The Brooklyn Cyclones had four more hits than the Lowell Spinners, but the Spinners ended the game with four more runs than the Cyclones on 1980s night at LeLacheur Park. Despite being outhit 8-4, the Spinners took advantage of three Cyclones errors and won the second game of the series 5-1.

Brooklyn was only able to produce one run from eight hits due to some impressive bend-but-don’t-break pitching from Lowell’s staff—a staff that ended up needing to go to the bullpen far earlier than expected.

Jake Cosart started the game and looked dominant, striking out the first three batters he faced. They would be the only three batters he faced, however, as he was taken out of the game after one inning for precautionary reasons.

Enfember Martinez entered the game in relief and pitched 4.2 innings allowing only one run to earn the win. Edwar Garcia came into the game in the sixth inning and recorded a 10-out save.

Offensively, the Spinners were lucky more than anything else. Of their five runs, only one (their first one) was earned. Their final four runs (including the winning run) were the direct results of abysmal Brooklyn defense.

One could argue that the night’s most exciting entertainment occurred in foul ground as part of 1980s night at the park. Fans were treated to classic music from the 80s all night, and the on-fields were inspired by the decade. Two kids played “Human Pac-Man”, a game in which they had to run through cones collecting Trinity EMS balls before being tagged by the Minions who were acting as the ghosts.

All in all, it was a great night at LeLacheur, and the Spinners got a game on Brooklyn in the Wild Card Standings. If they win tonight, not only will they win the series, but they will pass Brooklyn and move into first place in the Wild Card Standings.

The Spinners began the fourth game of their six game homestand on Friday Night against the Auburn DoubleDays (15-18) on Boston Bruins/March of Dimes Night at LeLacheur Park.

Lowell (17-17) came up short against the DoubleDays who are the Class A affiliates of the Washington Nationals.

Jake Cosart took the mound for the Spinners giving up a homerun in the first inning off of Victor Robles to give the DoubleDays a 1-0 advantage. The Doubledays pushed the lead in the second inning on Cosart’s second wild pitch of the inning and led 2-0.

Lowell would respond in the fifth inning to tie the game as Austin Rei broke out of his hitting slump with a lead off double. Hector Lorenzana followed with a single to bring the Spinners within a run. After two quick outs, the Spinners caught a break as Jeremy Rivera hit an infield single and a throwing error by Kelvin Gutierrez allowed Lorenzana and Rei to score and even things at two.

The lead was short lived however, as the DoubleDays would score three runs in the next inning. Two errors and a wild pitch plagued the Spinners as the DoubleDays scored on relief pitcher Emember Martinez and capitalizing on Tucker Tubbs’ and Jeremy Rivera’s errors.

The Spinners would not go down without a fight and in the bottom of the ninth inning they would make things interesting for DoubleDays relief pitcher Mariano Rivera, the son of the former Yankees pitcher, Mariano Rivera. Austin Rei would get on base on a throwing error by the DoubleDays and a second error occured, this time by Rivera, who allowed Lorenzana to get on base. Lowell’s next batter, Jordan Austin would blast a double and bring in Rei. However, that would be the last magic for the Spinners as Jeremy Rivera struck out on a foul-tip and Tate Matheny’s lined out, right up the middle to Rivera’s glove to end the game.

Offensively the Spinners were led by the unlikely hero of the game, Aneudis Peralta who hit two deep doubles. Jeremy Rivera also had two hits while Rei doubled and scored a pair of runs.

Boston Bruins announcer, Jack Edwards and popular singer who does the national anthem for the Bruins, Rene Rancourt were in attendance for Boston Bruins night. The crowd went wild as Rene Rancourt performed the national anthem and he did his famous fist pump after he finished. Jack Edward also participated in an on-field entertainment event where he judged which fan did their best Montreal Canadiens flop. He also did the play by play for the Mario Kart race on the field as well as being the announcer for the radio and PA system.

The following night was game two of the three game homestand. It was an action packed night at LeLacheur Park, with Captain Jack Sparrow throwing out a ceremonial first pitch as part of Pirates Night, Toy Story themed headshots on the scoreboard for Toy Story Night, and the G-Man Foundation, which provided important information about Autism in honor of Autism Awareness Night. The G-Man Foundation is dedicated to providing meaningful experiences for children on the Autism Spectrum, and it was a wonderful experience having them join us for a night of baseball.

Unfortunately for the Spinners, the baseball that was played between the foul lines was not nearly as successful as the promotions going on in the rest of the park. The team was stymied by poor defense and an inability to hit with runners in scoring position. They lost the game 5-2, dropping the second game of their series against the Auburn Doubledays and increasing their losing streak to four games. It was a close game early on, and after a Jeremy Rivera triple plated Luis Alexander Basabe in the bottom of the third inning, the Spinners found themselves down by just one run (3-2) with a runner on third and only one out. The Spinners failed to capitalize on their opportunity to the tie the game, however, as both Andrew Benintendi and Chad De La Guerra struck out swinging to end the inning, leaving Basabe stranded on third. That was as close as it would get. The Doubledays would tack on two insurance runs in the fifth inning (aided by two defensive errors committed by the Spinners), and the boys from Lowell failed to score another run.

Luckily for the fans, there was no shortage of on field entertainment. Two kids raced Canaligator around the bases (beating the mascot handily), and later on, two other kids “walked the plank” during a dizzy peg leg race.

On Inspiration Night at LeLacheur Park, the Lowell Spinners (18-18) finally got back in the win column to improve to .500 and beat the Auburn DoubleDays in the final game of their series.

The DoubleDays got off to a fast start jumping out to a 4-0 lead over the Spinners early on. It appeared the Spinners would falter since they have been behind early in most games they have played in the series. However, in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Spinners got on the board with catcher and player of the game Austin Rei who went 3-4, breaking out of his slump and blasting his first professional home run. After that, Luis Basabe singled up the middle, and then stole both second and third base. He then scored at that plate from a double by Tate Matheny which appeared to be a homerun but was ruled a double. Chad De La Guerra finished the inning off by hitting an RBI single which brought the Spinners within a run at 4-3.

The Spinners scored again in the sixth inning, tying the score after Tucker Tubbs led off the inning with a walk, and then scored on Austin Rei’s RBI double.

However, the Doubledays would take the lead again in the 7th inning as Edwin Lora’s hit a leadoff solo home run off Logan Boyd. The Spinners would quickly even the score again in the bottom of the seventh as Tubbs tripled bringing in another run to tie the game at 5.

The Spinners would finally take the lead and keep it for good in the bottom of the eighth inning as Luis Basabe doubled with two outs. Andrew Benintendi then hit infield ball which looked like it would be the final out, but the second baseman for the Doubledays, Dustin Dulin bobbled it allowing Basabe to score giving the Spinners a 6-5 lead. Trevor Kelly finished the game off in ninth inning striking out two batters to seal the victory for the Spinners.

After giving up three runs early, Dioscar Romero, the starting pitcher for the Spinners, settled down, and gave up more run but only three were earned. He gave up five hits and a walk over five innings and also struck out four. Logan Boyd struck out four over 2.1 innings of relief, allowing one run on five hits. Trevor Kelley (1-0) picked up the win with a scoreless 1.2 innings, striking out an impressive four batters.

The Spinners promotional theme night was recognizing people who have inspired others. Families such as Pete Frates family, came to the ballpark to continue to raise awareness for ALS and they were one of many families to throw out the first pitch. Other people with disabilities attended with their loved ones and were honored between innings as they were given a video tribute and given a standing ovation by the crowd.

The Spinners now travel to Williamsport on Monday to begin a six-game trip Tuesday with three-game sets with the Crosscutters and State College Spikes. First pitch in Williamsport on Tuesday night is at 7pm before returning to LeLacheur Park for a six game homestand on August third.

On a night where veterans who served during the Vietnam conflict were honored at LeLacheur Park, the Lowell Spinners were unable to come away with a win against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers in the final game of their three game series.

Jake Cosart started for the Spinners but was pulled early, after giving up seven hits and five earned runs in 2.2 innings. He did have three strikeouts however, before Ben Taylor relieved him and struck out an impressive six Scrapper batters.

The Spinners (14-10) had many opportunities but were unable to capitalize on thirteen walks which hurt their chances of scoring runs. The Spinners had trouble catching up with the Scrappers but were able to keep the game close early on as Tucker Tubbs got on base from being hit by a pitch. Tubbs stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. He came around to score on a single by Jordon Austin to get the Spinners on the board.

In the third inning, after three straight walks to load the bases, Victor Acosta hit a sacrifice fly ball to center. Chad De La Guerra was then walked, driving in the only run of the inning. The Spinners would score again in the ninth inning as Victor Acosta hit an RBI single but once again, the Spinners left two men on base as the rally came up short.

Veterans who served during the Vietnam Conflict were honored at LeLacheur Park during the Pre-game ceremonies. They were given a parade around the field and rose an honorary flag commemorating those that lost their lives in Vietnam.

In honor of Vietnam Veterans Night, a couple lucky fans also participated in a game on the field called Dizzy Bootcamp where they were put through a series of obstacles after spinning around a bat.

There was also a push up contest where fellow interns of the Spinners and fans competed to see who could do twenty push ups the fastest. It was very entertaining as the two fans showed the interns up and beat them.

The Canaligator along with mascots Mario, Luigi, and Scooby Doo made their appearance and played musical chairs. The Canaligator was about to win on the last chair when one of the sumo wrestlers who was hiding in the dugout, sprung out and knocked the Canaligator to the ground and let Luigi win. The crowd laughed hysterically!

The Spinners have the day off Tuesday but return to LeLacheur Park on Wednesday night as they start a three game series (two games at home, one game away) with the Connecticut Tigers. First pitch is at 7:05 P.M. The Spinners will also be celebrating Mustache Appreciation Night and give out (Spinners clubhouse manager) Dogman Bobble head’s to fans.

Just when you think you have seen it all, the Lowell Spinners won in the bottom of the 11th inning on a walk off catcher’s balk, evening up the series against the Scrappers. It was also Bark in the Park Day as Spinner fans brought their furry little friends to the stadium.

The players, fans and their dogs battled the 90 degree heat at Lelacheur Park on the second game of the three game series between the Spinners and Scrappers.

Luis Ramon started for the Spinners, allowing three runs, seven hits, and striking out one batter before Randy Perez came in for relief after four innings. Perez was stellar in three innings of relief, allowing just one unearned run on one hit and struck out a pair.

The Spinners offense got off to a great start in the second inning on an RBI single from Mitch Gunsolus.

The Spinners then scored a second run when Luis Alexander Basabe struck out, but advanced to first as Hector Lorenzana scored on a wild pitch by the Scrapper’s Dominic DeMasi, as the Spinners only trailed by one.

The Spinners took the lead in the third after a one-out walk by Tucker Tubbs and Chad De La Guerra. Hector Lorenzana singled driving in both to give Lowell a 4-3 lead.

The Scrappers rallied to tie the game in the eighth inning on a home run by David Armendariz, which went off the video board and eventually sent the game into extra innings.

The score remained tied heading into the bottom of the 11th where Jeremy Rivera got a leadoff walk. Victor Acosta then hit a bunt to bring Rivera to second and as it turned out, Acosta was safe with his perfect bunt. Tucker Tubbs registered the only out of the inning with a sacrifice bunt, advancing both runners. Chad De La Guerra went up to the plate and the Scrappers signaled to intentionally walk him. On the first pitch, the catcher of the Scrappers, Li-Jen Chu was called for the extremely rare catcher’s balk for leaving the catcher’s box before the pitch was thrown, which gave the Spinners the winning run.

There were some fun dog themed promotions unleashed throughout the game for the Bark in the Park themed game. On the first base side of the concourse, fans could get puppy kisses for a donation to Wignall Animal Hospital for just $2.

Instead of dizzy bat, two fans participated in Dizzy Dog Race, where they chased their tails and then ran through cones on all fours, along with jumping through hula hoops.

Two season ticket holders participated in a hot dog eating contest. There was a twist, however. They would have to eat the hot dogs out of dog bowls! The winning contestant went home with an autographed Brandon Magee bat.

Join us tonight on Vietnam Veteran’s Night for the third game of the three game series against the Scrappers begins at 7:05PM.

On Star Wars Night at LeLacheur Park, the Spinners lost to the dark side of the force, the Scrappers, 8-6. Despite the loss, the offense gave a strong effort and fell just short.

Eight of the nine bats in the Spinners’ starting lineup had hits in the game. Spinners catcher Austin Rei, who was drafted this year in the third round of the MLB amateur player draft, especially had quite the night. He got his first professional hit, RBI, and run scored all in the game. Rei went 2-5, with a single, a triple, an RBI, and scored two runs. Two other Spinners bats had two hits in the game. Shortstop Jeremy Rivera had two base hits and scored one run. Mitchell Gunsolus also had two base hits and had two RBIs. Having a tied game going into the ninth inning, the Scrappers were able to score two runs in the top of the ninth inning to take the lead. The Spinners couldn’t score in the bottom of the ninth, leading to a Scrappers win.

For Star Wars night at the park, fans were in for a treat. There were Star Wars characters roaming the concourse along with participating in between inning events. In the mascot race, fans were thrown a curveball when Emperor Palpatine emerged from the dugout and used the force to win the race himself.

Some lucky fans got a chance to play some Dizzy Light Saber Baseball Water Balloon Fight. Two parents had to spin around the light sabers until they were very dizzy and then their children threw water balloons at them that they had to hit. After some nearly falling down and being hit with water balloons early, we had a winner who went home with a nice prize.
Today is Bark in the Park at LeLacheur Park. Come with your dog to the 3:05PM game against the Scrappers.

Last night, the Spinners took on the West Virginia Black Bears for the final game of a three game series, taking the 3-0 loss.

Dioscar Romero started the game for the Spinners, giving up only one run in 5.2IP. His strong performance wouldn’t be enough, with the offensive giving no runs of support. Romero recorded the loss for the Spinners after only giving up three hits, one walk, and striking out two batters.

The Spinners offense was a weak showing, but there were still bright spots in the lineup. Luis Alexander Basabe went 1-3 with a walk. Alex McKeon entered the game as a defensive substitute in the top of the 7th inning. In McKeon’s only at bat of the game, he got on base with a single. Jordon Austin also got a base hit for the Spinners.

The night’s theme was #LikeAGirl Night, striving to change the meaning of the phrase ‘like a girl’ and to empower women. In attendance for the festivities were professional athletes and olympic athletes, including members from the NWHL team, the Boston Pride, Jillian Dempsey, Jordan Smelker, Brittany Ott, and their general manager Hayley Moore, BU alumni Kaleigh Fratkin, Boston Breaker Suzane Pires, and US Olympic silver medalist Brianna Decker. The women threw first pitches and signed autographs for fans on the concourse.

Brianna Decker was involved with an on-field during the first inning; Brianna Decker Trivia. A lucky fan was able to answer trivia questions about Brianna Decker while she said if they were correct or wrong. The fan got all of the answers correct and won a great prize.

During the second inning, Boston Pride’s Brittany Ott took the field for a game of Shoot a Goal on Brittany Ott. Two young fans competed to score goals while goalie Brittany Ott tried to stop them. Both fans did well, with one getting a goal past Ott. The lucky fan went home with a great prize.

Suzane Pires joined in the on-field fun during the third inning for a game of Family Feud. A season ticket holder competed against Pires in a game of Family Feud with the topic being favorite female athlete. The season ticket holder guessed the top choice on his first try, with Mia Hamm being the fan favorite. Suzane guessed the third choice correctly, with Alex Morgan. The second option was challenging for both the season ticket holder and Suzane, with both of them unable to guess Ronda Rousey correctly. The season ticket holder still went home with a prize.

Fans who stayed after the game were treated to a beautiful fireworks display that occur at all of the Friday home games.

Join us tonight for Star Wars night at LeLacheur Park as the Spinners begin a series against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. First pitch is at 5:05PM.

The Spinners returned to LeLacheur Park on Thursday evening for one game against the Connecticut Tigers, taking a 11-2 loss.

The Tigers got to the Spinners early with Christin Stewart homering in the top of the first. The Tigers would score six runs in the top of the second, which included a grand slam by Cam Gibson. Connecticut would go on to score 11 runs.

Offensively, the Spinners hardly struggled, having only two hits as a team prior to the ninth as the 6-9 batters went 0-16 combined.

However, the Spinners would not go down without a fight as Mitchell Gunsolus blasted a two run 400-foot home run in the bottom of the ninth putting the crowd in a frenzy. The strong effort would not be enough, however, with the Spinners taking the loss. The Spinners look to take the last game of the series Friday night at Dodd stadium. Despite the loss, the Spinners hold a 10-4 record, good for first in their division.

Following the game, fans stuck around for some exciting post game entertainment, including an improv dance by the Spinterns, fireworks, kids run the bases, and Thomas the Tank Engine.

Before the fireworks got started, a group of Spinners employees took the field down the first base line and pumped up the crowd, dancing to a number of different dances, including the cotton eyed joe. While they were entertaining, the real fun began with the fireworks. The fireworks display was complemented by some patriotic tunes in honor of Independence Day. After the fireworks, young fans were able to run the bases and ride Thomas the Tank Engine.

The Spinners next home game will take place on July 8th against the West Virginia Black Bears, beginning a six game home stand.

On a night honoring the town of Chelmsford, Spinners completed a three game sweep of the Aberdeen IronBirds.

All fans attending the game received red bandanas when entering the gates. Also, prior to the game, Boston Marathon survivors Jeff Bauman and Carlos Arredondo took the field to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Jose Almonte started the game for the Spinners, going six innings and giving up only two runs as well as striking out an impressive seven batters. Taylor Nunez pitched three innings, getting the save. Offensively, Chad De La Guerra had another great night, going 2-4 with two doubles. Jordon Austin also had a stellar performance, going 3-4 with two RBIs.

With the win, the Spinners continued their surge, having a dominant division leading 8-1 record. They also have the second best record in the New York Penn League, only trailing the 9-0 Williamsport Crosscutters.

Scooby Doo made his usual appearance in the Mystery Machine, however, the Chelmsford police chased him behind, sparking the crowd.

Jumping Jack, the amazing frisbee catching dog, made his presence at the LeLacheur Park, putting the crowd in a frenzy by catching five out of six frisbees.

In the middle of the 8th inning, fans took the field with Spinners Dance Team members to do the chicken dance.

The Spinners next home game is Thursday, July 2nd, when they face the Connecticut Tigers. Be sure to join us at LeLacheur Park that night for some post-game fireworks! First pitch is at 7:05PM.